Simon Ekpa Blacklisted: Nigeria Officially Declares Him a Terrorism Financier

The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa and 16 entities as alleged terrorism financiers in the country. The designation, approved by the President upon the recommendation of the Attorney General of the Federation, was revealed in an official document obtained on Thursday.

According to the document, the sanctioned individuals include Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, and Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali. Others on the list are Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogomu Kewe. Additionally, three entities—Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Group—were also designated.

The committee held a meeting on March 6, 2024, where the decision to designate these individuals and entities was made based on their alleged involvement in terrorism financing. The designation was made under Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

As part of the enforcement measures, financial institutions have been directed to immediately freeze all funds, assets, and economic resources belonging to the designated individuals and entities without prior notice. The institutions must also report these frozen assets to the Sanctions Committee. In addition, they are required to file Suspicious Transactions Reports (STR) with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for further analysis of financial activities linked to the sanctioned persons.

The committee also mandated that all financial transactions involving the listed individuals and entities, both past and present, be scrutinized. This includes extending the freezing measures to accounts associated with the designated persons, as well as those linked to their signatories and directors, ensuring full compliance with the sanctions.

Furthermore, financial institutions and relevant stakeholders have been instructed to submit compliance reports to the Nigeria Sanctions Committee via designated email addresses. These measures aim to enforce the sanctions effectively and prevent further financial support for terrorism-related activities in Nigeria.